SALT LAKE CITY - Utah State Parks ranger Chris Quatrale has been recognized as “Rescuer of the Year” for January.

Last December, a young man and his dog were duck hunting along the Great Salt Lake near the Antelope Island Causeway with some friends.

The ice suddenly gave way, and both the man and his dog fell through and became trapped in 29 degree water, a press release from AAA said.

The man was able to get his dog out of the water, but could not pull himself out. That was because the ice wasn’t stable and solid enough to support his weight.

His friends couldn’t help, either, because they couldn’t get loose enough without falling into the ice themselves, the release said.

Ranger Quatrale was driving to work along the causeway when he spotted the man in distress. He called in a rescue unit and began the task of walking onto the weak ice to pull the man to safety.

“Whether the rescuer is a trained first responder, such as a firefighter or law enforcement officer, or an everyday citizen, the selfless actions of a hero deserve collective recognition and praise,” said Chris Hoglund, business manager of AAA Utah’s Foothill and Murray offices.

Rescuers will be named for each month with help from the public. Each rescuer will receive a donation in his or her name to the Rescue Today nonprofit of his or her choice.

To learn more about the AAA Rescuer of the Year program, visit aaa.com/rescuer.